The other night we went to the library to attend a kindergarten meeting about riding the bus. I know C has ridden the bus with his pre-school on field-trips, but I wanted him to have the chance to meet a bus driver, hear any bus rules, and see one of the big yellow buses up close. Plus I thought this would be another chance to be able to talk to him about going to a new school for kindergarten and how he would be getting there.

I am excited for him, but I remember how I was as a kid, and the bus made me very nervous. I have no idea why, but growing up my stomach was always in knots over the bus. I am making a point not to mention this fact to him (or J), but C is SO much like me, I fear that he is nervous and trying not to show it to us (just like me!).

So anyway, my point, I do have one, I think. So we are at the library with a bunch of other kids and parents doing the activities like reading the story and singing songs. The last activity before meeting the bus driver and going to get on the bus was a little game.

This little game involved getting the kids in a circle and the adults in a circle behind the kids and then the kids were going to march around the circle and stop when the music stopped. The library lady only wanted the parents around (behind) the kids to direct them, in case they got confused or lost. So while my friend and I stood and directed our kids where to go (which way) when the music started…many parents MARCHED with their kids. These same kids that are presumably going off to kindergarten in a few weeks time, with NO parents. The room was not that big. I was able to keep my eye on C (and his friend L) without moving.

Next it was time for the kids to go out to the bus to be able to get on the bus and hear the bus rules. The Librarian made it pretty clear that it would only be the kids getting on the bus – that is the point of the class – practice getting on the bus – but it still surprised me when a few parents tried to get on the bus with them!

I know you may be wondering why I am bringing this up, I have been thinking about the concept of Free Range Kids. I remember when I was C’s age, I ran around the neighborhood and played with all the kids in my neighborhood, up and down the street. I rode my bike or walked over to friends houses (I probably started this at 7 or 8), but that is not too far off in our future. And I think how am I going to be OK with that with C? We are so conditioned to NOT LET OUR KIDS OUT OF OUR SIGHT for the fear, the fear of what may happen. But it wasn’t that long ago that we were out and about. I look back and I loved those times of wandering around our town on our bikes, going up to the store to get candy, to meeting my friends at the park – no parents. I wonder what we are doing to our kids. How will C experience that freedom that I felt? How will I be OK with it.

So for me, I am trying to be less and less of a presence. Isn’t that the point of parenting anyway? I want C to start doing more without feeling me right by his side or shoulder. This week at the book store, I let C walk to find his Dad across the store (without me), he was fine. My heart sped up a little until I saw them all together, but I know it is important for all of us to let go.